Poker-Themed Game Show Premieres on NBC Aug. 1

A new poker-themed game show is set to air for the first time on August 1 on NBC in coordination with Full Tilt Poker.

The show, called “Face the Ace” (9-10 p.m. EST) and hosted by Steve Schirripa (of Sopranos fame) will pit players who qualify for the show against Full Tilt pros for a chance to win $1 million.

The show, trying to cash in on the poker on television boom, is starting out with a seven-show run that starts with episodes on back-to-back Saturdays.

The format of the show is based around heads-up poker matches against the “aces” — players that may compete include many of the well-known FTP pros, including Patrik Antonius, Andy Bloch, Allen Cunningham, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Phil Gordon, Gus Hansen, Jennifer Harman, Phil Ivey, John Juanda, Howard Lederer, Erick Lindgren, Mike “the Mouth” Matusow, Huck Seed, Erik Seidel and Gavin Smith.

Contestants on the show pick a pro from behind four obscured doors and play a heads-up match against them for $40,000. If they win, they can keep the money or play another pro for $200,000. Win again, and they can can walk away with the money or play for $1 million. Lose, and the player keeps nothing.

The pros are playing to win $10,000 for their chosen charities.

Contestant on the show can qualify by playing tournaments at Full Tilt, and there’s information on how to get on the show at the Face the Ace web site.

And here’s the broadcase schedule:
* August 1, 2009 - 9:00pm ET
* August 8, 2009 - 9:00pm ET
* September 12, 2009 - 2:00pm ET
* October 31, 2009 - 3:30pm ET
* November 14, 2009 - 3:00pm ET
* December 12, 2009 - 3:00pm ET
* January 2, 2010 - 2:30pm ET